DeKALB – Former 3rd Ward DeKalb Alderman Victor Wogen was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving under the influence.

Wogen also was charged with texting while driving, according to a DeKalb Police report.

Police received a call shortly before 2 a.m. Sunday that a driver had crashed into a light pole in the 1100 block of West Lincoln Highway, which is where the street intersects with Annie Glidden Road.

He then headed south on Annie Glidden Road and turned onto Deerpath Lane, according to the report. Police located the 2004 Honda Element being driven by Wogen near the intersection of Deerpath Lane and Knolls Avenue.

According to the police report, Wogen admitted that he was sending a text message when he struck a median sign and light pole at the nearby intersection. He then failed field sobriety tests, the report said.

Wogen refused medical treatment, according to the police report, and was taken to the DeKalb Police Department where he posted bail and was later released.

He was charged with driving under the influence, driving under the influence with a blood-alcohol content greater than 0.08, texting while driving and improper lane use. He is due in court March 12.

DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen could not confirm Monday if this was the first instance in the city of a charge of texting while driving. A state law made it illegal to text while driving on Jan. 1.

Wogen was elected as the 3rd Ward representative to the DeKalb City Council in April 2007. On Dec. 14, Wogen announced his resignation, citing personal reasons for stepping down. It followed the revelation that in 2008, Wogen’s now-defunct masonry company received six contracts with the city of DeKalb for maintenance projects.

At the time, expenditures less than $20,000 didn’t require the authorization of the city council, only that of the city manager. All of the contracts awarded to Wogen’s company were for less than $20,000.

Wogen pleaded guilty in early January to a single count of battery and received 18 months of court supervision. He originally faced two counts of domestic battery after police say he pushed his wife Aug. 16 during an argument. The first count was dropped, and the second was amended to a simple battery.

SYCAMORE – Former DeKalb Alderman Victor Wogen accepted a plea agreement Thursday that will keep him out of jail if he complies with his sentence.

Wogen was charged Aug. 16 with two counts of misdemeanor domestic battery after police said he shoved his wife during an argument, causing her to fall onto a couch.

Under Thursday's agreement, Wogen pleaded guilty to a single count of battery and received 18 months of court supervision. The first domestic battery count was dropped, and the second was amended to a simple battery, said Rachel McIntyre, an assistant state’s attorney for DeKalb County who prosecuted the case.

"I'm never happy to be in court," Wogen said Thursday when asked how he felt about the ruling. "And I don't want to have to admit to something I didn't do ... but now I can move on with my life."

Wogen also was ordered to pay a $200 domestic battery fee and $65 in court fees and to attend and complete an eight-week anger management program. As long as all the conditions of the plea agreement are met, Wogen's record will be free of a conviction, Circuit Judge Robbin Stuckert said Thursday.

Stuckert added that Wogen is to have no violent contact with his wife. An order of protection for her was among the case's court documents Thursday. It is effective until Jan. 7, 2012, and takes into consideration that the couple may have some contact during divorce proceedings, which are currently underway.

Before Thursday's plea agreement, the DeKalb County State's Attorney's Office filed a motion to introduce evidence of prior domestic violence acts, the most serious of which occurred five years ago, according to the motion. It states that Wogen "strangled the victim by placing both hands around her neck," and that he "abused the victim both verbally and emotionally."

Police were called to Wogen's home in August, when his wife reported that Wogen pushed her in the chest during an argument, according to authorities and court documents, causing her to lose her balance and fall back onto a couch. His wife did not suffer any serious injuries, according to authorities.

Wogen denied all allegations Thursday after the court proceedings.

Although the case happened within the jurisdiction of DeKalb Police, DeKalb Police Chief Bill Feithen said in August that he requested the sheriff's department handle the investigation so there was no conflict of interest.

Wogen was elected as the 3rd Ward representative to the DeKalb City Council in April 2007. On Dec. 14, Wogen announced his resignation as 3rd Ward alderman, citing personal reasons for stepping down. DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said this week he hopes to appoint Wogen's replacement this month.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

When I listened to Victor Wogen’s resignation announcement and the interview that followed on WLBK, I had a familiar sinking feeling.

It immediately reminded me of the phone conversation I had with him amidst the “smear mailer” scandal. For some reason, he has an aversion to accepting responsibility and a habit of displacing blame. I did not believe anything he told me in 2007, and I do not believe the claims he made on the radio the other day. Thankfully, his travesty of a political career is finally over.

As local residents look forward, I think it is important to analyze what happened and reflect on some very important lessons.

First, if you will recall, there were three candidates to choose from in the 2007 DeKalb 3rd Ward aldermanic race. In the city elections to come, please research each of the people running. If your schedule is too busy and you cannot attend a candidate forum, then e-mail or call them individually with your questions if certain issues are not discussed on their Web sites. Also, never make any decisions relying upon information found in a smear mailer or similar campaign literature that you receive.

Secondly, when any candidate or official lies or engages in other unscrupulous activity, do not simply complain about the situation. Have the courage to organize and mobilize in a publicly assertive manner to respond so everyone knows that kind of unethical behavior will not be tolerated in the community. In my opinion, Mr. Wogen did not resign solely because he wanted to devote more time to his children, rather he knew more unflattering information would surface about him in the months to come.

Lastly, understand that if this can happen once, then it can happen again. At this time, I ask all city residents to personally contact Mayor Kris Povlsen and ask him to properly vet all individuals whose names end up on his short list to fill the aldermanic position. Here we must be vigilant to ensure the nominee is someone who is as ethical and competent as he or she is thoughtful and engaging. The city has just experienced a scandal that many will not soon forget. Let’s make sure we follow through here and then hold all candidates and officials accountable in the future.

By now you know Wogen resigned his position of alderman during a Monday morning broadcast on WLBK. He presumably chose to make his announcement on the radio station because he views it as a Wogen-friendly media outlet. After all, he said WLBK "does the best job of any media source in this community." Nevermind the fact that WLBK spelled Wogen's name incorrectly in its story about his resignation on its Web site and that, oftentimes, a WLBK news story becomes a story because the Daily Chronicle reported it first.

I guess that's what Wogen means when he says "best job." But I digress.

After you get past Wogen's reason for resigning and his declaration that his biggest accomplishment in office was that he helped a resident paint a house, there are two interesting sound bites from the interview: his take on Daily-Chronicle.com story-commenters and his perception of the Daily Chronicle.

On a side note, let me take this opportunity to explain that people who leave comments on stories at Daily-Chronicle.com or any other newspaper Web site are not "bloggers," and shouldn't be referred to as "bloggers." A blogger is someone who writes a Web log – called a blog for short. People who leave comments should be referred to as story-commenters or commenters.

For Wogen's rant on story comments, however, he refers to story-commenters as bloggers. Here it is:

"You definitely can't read that stuff, you know. It's garbage," Wogen said. "Honestly, these bloggers, they really need to be able to use their name. They're just cowards. The one thing I would say to those people is I would hate to be them. I would hate to wake up mad every morning and have to be them because they're not ever going to be happy. All they want to do is complain and complain. The sad part is a lot of those people actually ran for offices in the last election. And this community basically told them we don't want them. That's not what this community is looking for. But, yet, they still want to voice their opinion, and most of them do it anonymously."

Let's dissect. First, he refers to the criticism, feedback and opinion of story-commenters as "garbage." I wonder if Wogen realizes that some of that criticism and feedback came from his constituents. But the best part is Wogen's thoughts on those who unsuccessfully ran for public office. In Wogen's world, if you lost an election, you no longer should be voicing an opinion, First Amendment be damned.

Then, there is Wogen's rant on the Daily Chronicle, where he cites the coverage of the city contracts awarded to his now-defunct masonry business:

"You know, we saved the taxpayers money by bidding on projects," Wogen said. "We did nothing wrong, but, yet, it was in the paper for seven, eight days, you know. Different articles, but it's the same article rehashed over and over. I guess I just don't understand why. If you print something once and, really, you've printed all the facts and nothing's been found wrong, why you beating a dead horse?

"I think there's some point where you have to separate what a person does politically and what a person is doing personally," Wogen continued. "And if one's not affecting the other, then I have no idea why they mix them.

"And that's my frustration with the Chronicle the whole time I've been in office. It seems like when they call and you give them information, it's never printed accurately. They always want to put their twist on it. Or they want to make the news instead of report the news. And I think at LBK, you guys report the news. People want to hear facts. They want to hear what the news is. I don't think they want the Chronicle to be the Enquirer and make up stuff."

Oh, where do I begin? Here's how newspaper reporting works, Mr. Wogen. Stories develop over the course of days, even weeks. Each time there is a new development in a story, a new article is written to report on that development. Because newspapers can't assume someone has read every article about a story or issue, it must include background and "rehash" what has been reported to that point.

A newspaper has three main types of articles, Mr. Wogen: straight-news articles, columns and editorials. News articles report the facts of a story. Columns tend to provide the opinion of the column writer. Editorials present the opinion and point of view of the newspaper as a whole. Perhaps you've confused opinion for "twist."

Lastly, Mr. Wogen, when it comes to your assertion that information in the Daily Chronicle is "never printed accurately," you have never called our newsroom looking for a correction on any article written about the city contracts issue. That would indicate to me that the news was printed accurately.

If you disagree, Mr. Wogen, please make us aware of any mistake we might have made. As we state on page A2 of every newspaper, accuracy is important to the Daily Chronicle. So, if we got something wrong, let us know so we can confirm it and correct it if need be.

•••

As of today, there is a change in our Letters to the Editor policy. Instead of only being allowed to publish one letter per month, you now will be allowed to publish one letter every 15 days, as long as the letter is originally written and addresses a local issue.

•••

Try as we might, the Daily Chronicle was unable to get NIU Police Chief Donald Grady on the phone this week to talk about his first week back on the job and to get his reaction to some new NIU initiatives.

We called and e-mailed Grady every day since Monday because we know the public wants to hear from him. We'll keep trying.

• Jason Schaumburg is editor of the Daily Chronicle. E-mail him at jschaumburg@daily-chronicle.com. You also can follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DC_Editor.

Victor Wogen closed the book on his tenure as DeKalb 3rd Ward alderman on Monday.

Wogen, who is going through a divorce and faces two domestic battery charges, cited personal reasons – and not the controversy surrounding city contracts awarded to his now-defunct masonry business – for his resignation.

His departure is good news for 3rd Ward residents, who had been without representation since Oct. 26, the last time Wogen showed up for a City Council meeting. Now it’s time for those residents to move on.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen will appoint someone to fill Wogen’s vacancy, since there are less than 18 months remaining in the term. After that, the seat will be up for election in April 2011.

We encourage 3rd Ward residents to get involved. If you ever envisioned serving your community or thought you could make a difference, now’s the time to make yourself heard.

Politics and government aren’t for everybody. It takes thick-skinned individuals able to absorb criticism to succeed. You must be willing to objectively look at each situation and make an assessment based on what you believe is the right thing to do. Sometimes, the right thing to do requires an unpopular choice. The best public-office holders are able to make unpopular decisions, knowing that they are for the ultimate good.

Public officials are held to a higher standard, both on the job and in their personal life. Half the battle is understanding this concept and applying it to personal and political decisions.

If this sounds like you, then you might be able to serve the 3rd Ward and its residents.

Mayor Povlsen hopes to have the seat filled and the new alderman sworn in by the end of January. If you’re interested, you should call the mayor at 815-748-2099 or e-mail him at kris.povlsen@cityofdekalb.com.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

It has been a long two and a half plus years. When I reflect upon Victor Wogen's resignation announcement from yesterday morning on WLBK, I can't help but think the following:

First, this man is in serious denial, i.e. he really believes that he helped local citizens during his tenure. However, if you listen to the interview closely, he simply cannot share a substantive list of accomplishments to date, and more than once he makes reference to painting a resident's home shortly after taking office.

Secondly, Mr. Wogen didn't resign to focus on his children, rather he's afraid of what the immediate future holds: a possible conviction for misdemeanor battery, and the likelihood that more unpleasant details about his personal and professional life will surface in the wake of his divorce proceedings.

Thirdly, he intentionally sought WLBK to make this announcement because he wanted to frame the story himself. Mr. Wogen has not trusted the Daily Chronicle since it exposed him as a liar after the election in the spring of 2007. Back then they reported the news and he attempted to spin the stories to minimize the political damage.

Fourthly, his 'After School Special' analysis of anonymous blogging is weak - at best. The primary focus of online discussion should always be the credibility of the information provided, not whether a person chooses to use his or her real name when contributing a story comment or a blog post.

Lastly, his criticism of the council demonstrates his lack of insight on the deliberative process. Policymaking is very challenging - it is hard work that often involves study, debate, and compromise on issues that people have strong opinions about. How could Mr. Wogen not know this when he ran for the office of alderman, and why did he bother to stay this long if that's how he really feels?

We could go on about Mr. Wogen, but this seems like a good place to stop. I'm satisfied that he no longer holds the position of alderman and that someone else will have the chance. Let's hope that Mayor Povlsen nominates somebody who is honest, competent, and engaging - somebody who will represent his or her constituents well.

DeKALB – DeKalb alderman Victor Wogen stepped down from office early Monday morning, citing that a difficult divorce is making it hard for him to represent the community.

He announced his resignation about 8 a.m. on WLBK 1360-AM. In the 12-minute interview with morning-show host Terry Ryan, Wogen said his decision was based solely on personal reasons and not to controversy surrounding city contracts awarded to his now-defunct masonry company.

"With what we're going through in the personal life, the alderman position in the whole scheme of things is really, really not important to me at this point," Wogen said on-air. "And I think for me and my kids to move forward, we need to just concentrate on what we need to do for the future and we need to move on."

Wogen was charged in August with two counts of domestic battery after police said he shoved his wife during an argument. The case is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 7.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said he had spoken to Wogen and knew about his plans to resign.

"We've talked about this for the last couple of months," Povlsen said. "I encouraged him to really evaluate his life and his ability to responsibly serve the citizens of the 3rd Ward, and he came to the decision it was important he move on and attend to issues in his personal life."

Wogen faxed a letter of resignation to Povlsen at City Hall on Monday. In the letter, Wogen stated that "it has been an honor to serve the residents of the 3rd Ward and I wish you and the rest of the city future success."

Attempts to reach Wogen for comment were unsuccessful.

Because there are less than 18 months left in Wogen's term – his seat is up for election in April 2011 – the mayor can appoint someone to fill the vacancy. A special election is held if there are more than 18 months left in a vacant officeholder's term, according to city code.

Anyone interested in the seat can call or e-mail Povlsen, who hopes to have a new alderman sworn in by the end of January.

"The good news is, in terms of meetings, this is our last one until January," Povlsen said. "I would hope over the next two to three weeks, I can talk to the aldermen and get a sense of who they would support."

One resident urged that process be done with care.

"I encourage Mayor Povlsen, when you do go through the process of vetting... that you vet these people, or the person, thoroughly so we have an idea of who is going to be filling the position of the alderman of the 3rd Ward," said John Duerk during a public comments portion of the meeting.

Fines dropped

Before his resignation, Wogen was facing fines totaling $500 for missing two regular city council meetings in November. According to city code, aldermen can be fined if they don't provide a good reason for being absent.

The fines were dropped Monday as he is no longer a sitting alderman.

"Since Mr. Wogen is no longer a member of the city council, it is my opinion he cannot be fined," City Attorney Norma Guess said.

Regarding the absence policy, Povlsen said that typically, aldermen call in advance if they know they won't be attending a meeting.

But although a fine has not been imposed on an alderman before, he does not think this instance will set a precedence of bringing on fines every time an alderman is absent, with or without good reason.

"One thing I don't like about the policy is that aldermen and the mayor do a lot more work than attend a meeting," Povlsen said.

However, if an alderman is forgoing duties for an extended period of time, "action needs to be taken," he said.

Reforms get green light

The DeKalb City Council approved major changes to financial policies on Monday.

Povlsen broke a tie vote of 3-3, with aldermen Brendon Gallagher, Dave Baker and Brent Keller opposing the series of changes that gives the council more power in spending decisions that stemmed from Wogen's former company performing work on public projects in 2008.

The sticking point was whether the city council should have control over all purchases over $10,000 or $20,000. Baker made an amendment, which failed, that would allow the city manager to approve fuel purchases up to $20,000, but that all other spending under $10,000 would be the council's authority.

Debate centered around whether giving the council more spending discretion may result in specially called meetings to take care of routine business, thus slowing down government.

In the end, the council kept that spending threshold at $20,000 – unless it involves a city worker or elected official. If an employee or official has financial interest and the contract is between $1,500 and $20,000, the city council must now take action.

Another change requires city council members to file a disclosure statement and statement of economic interests.

The latest firestorm surrounding Wogen is not the first. Before taking office in 2007, he admitted to having a hand in getting a controversial political brochure into voters' mailboxes the day before the election, in which he beat three-term incumbent Steve Kapitan by 14 votes out of 854 cast.

Wogen initially denied any involvement with the anonymous mailing, but later, after being confronted with a report from a postal employee who saw Wogen bring the brochures to the post office, he admitted he helped pay for their postage.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said Monday morning he had spoken to Wogen and knew about his plans to resign. Povlsen expected to receive a formal letter from the alderman today.

"We've talked about this for the last couple of months," Povlsen said. "I encouraged him to really evaluate his life and his ability to responsibly serve the citizens of the 3rd Ward, and he came to the decision it was important he move on and attend to issues in his personal life."

On the radio, Wogen said his decision is related to a difficult divorce and concerns in his personal life, and not to controversy surrounding city contracts awarded to his now-defunct masonry company.

Wogen was charged in August with two counts of domestic battery. Police said Wogen shoved his wife during an argument. The case is scheduled for a status hearing Jan. 7.

"With what we're going through in the personal life, the alderman position in the whole scheme of things is really, really not important to me at this point," Wogen said on-air. "For me and my kids to move forward, we need to just concentrate on what we need to do for the future and move on."

Wogen missed two city council meetings in November. The city council was to consider fining Wogen for those absences at tonight's city council meeting.

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Whenever I read people's criticisms of local 'city watchers', I always think of a popular quote by Margaret Mead that reads as follows: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." She's right, and therefore, none of us should be waiting for a groundswell of public support. Armed with solid facts and analysis, we must remain steadfast in our belief that we deserve better from public officials. In this situation, we seek to shape public policy as well as restore credibility to our local governing institutions. The only way this will ever happen is if we continue speaking out.

DeKALB – A city alderman may be fined $500 for missing recent meetings.

The city council may impose the fine on 3rd Ward Alderman Victor Wogen if it is deemed that he did not have a good and sufficient cause for being absent at city council meetings held Nov. 9 and Nov. 23. The fine is $250 for each meeting missed.

The absence policy is outlined in city code, and the vote to fine Wogen was put on Monday’s city council meeting agenda at the request of Mayor Kris Povlsen, City Manager Mark Biernacki said at a news conference Thursday.

Wogen does not have to be present for the vote, Biernacki said.

Wogen could not be reached for comment Thursday afternoon; his provided cell phone number was disconnected.

Also on Monday, the city council is expected to take final action on reforming financial policies that relate to elected officials or city employees doing business with the city. These policies stem from public projects that Wogen’s now-defunct masonry company performed in 2008 by submitting the lowest bid quote to the city.

Because each of the six projects was less than $20,000, they didn’t require city council action, according to state statute. If changes are approved, the city council would have purchasing powers on projects where a city employee or elected official has direct or indirect financial interest, unless the payment is under $1,500.

Also, the council passed, on first reading, to have control over all spending that is greater than $10,000; state statute gives that power to purchases exceeding $20,000.

Biernacki said that while he will “respect and follow through” with the council’s decision, it will largely delay operations. For example, fuel purchases are often done in bulk, with purchases upwards of $13,000 each fill-up.

There were 16 bulk fuel purchases in 2009, Public Works Director Rick Monas said.

The new policy would require holding special city council meetings for the sole authorization of such spending, Biernacki said.

A public hearing will be held Monday on the tax levy, which needs to be passed by the end of the year.

In November, aldermen approved increasing the tax rate 4 percent, from 60 cents per $100 of equalized assessed valuation to 62.5 cents. Biernacki said he’s recommending a further increase of 70 cents per $100 EAV to offset impact to the general fund.

A tax rate of 62.5 cents per $100 EAV would cost the average owner of a $200,000 home an extra $17 per year. A tax rate of 70 cents per $100 EAV would cost the same homeowner an extra $67 per year.

Under the 62.5 cent scenario, the general fund would have to come up with $700,000 to pay pension obligations. At the 70-cent rate, about $200,000 would be drawn from the general fund to pay pensions, about the same as this year.

The extra $700,000 to pay pensions would be in addition to a $2.5 million to $3 million shortfall expected this fiscal year.

“And it doesn’t look like it’s getting better,” Biernacki said.

One major cost-saving measure is being introduced: Phasing out city contributions to health insurance premiums for retired workers.

The city council also may take action Monday to reduce health care costs by $5.5 million over 10 years by phasing out coverage for retirees’ dependents and non-bona fide retirees.

Non-bona fide retirees are city employees who retired without meeting age and years-of-service requirements.

Also on the agenda:

• A consideration of a five-year plan for budgeting and distributing Community Development Block Grants.• An audit report for Fiscal Year 2009.• A resolution to start charging a fee to oversize and overweight vehicles that use city streets.• Approving licenses for three tattoo business applicants.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Many of us will never forget the infamous smear mailer that Victor Wogen circulated to Third Ward residents during his campaign in April 2007. If you recall, it included a picture of incumbent Steve Kapitan's house with a list of code violations as well as other comments that painted Mr. Kapitan as pro-gay and a socialist. Then Mr. Wogen lied to the entire community about his knowledge of the mailer, and shortly thereafter, the Daily Chronicleuncovered his dishonesty.

Well, now it appears (in addition to his many other problems - civil and criminal; political, personal, and professional) that Mr. Wogen has been cheating the State of Illinois by not paying tolls when he travels on area interstate highways. As of November 23, 2009, he owed the Illinois Tollway $2,191.10, and if he failed to pay by December 7, 2009, that amount increases to $7,441.10 (to view the official record, click here - and then click the image to enlarge it). So, Mr. Wogen gets to attack Mr. Kapitan for the condition of his (Mr. Kapitan's) home while he (Mr. Wogen) doesn't pay for his use of the toll road?! I don't think so.